Oregon lawmakers are considering bills that would make it easier for incarcerated individuals to pursue higher education and expand their college and career options after release.

By Sami Edge - The Oregonian/OregonLive

House Bill 3456 would require all Oregon’s public and private colleges and universities to regularly survey their students and file reports on sexual misconduct on campus. It would also require them to provide students with new supports, including an amnesty policy for students reporting assault and annual campus trainings on preventing sexual violence.

By Sami Edge - The Oregonian/OregonLive

If passed, the bill would break down barriers to obtaining naloxone by making it available for free in public buildings including libraries and churches, among other places

By Nicole Hayden - The Oregonian/OregonLive

The Oregonian/OregonLive found that three of the state’s public universities are currently withholding the transcripts of more than 20,000 former students over debts as little as $5. Thousands more students are likely impacted by the practice at other public and private universities and community colleges throughout the state.

By Sami Edge - The Oregonian/OregonLive

After a year of visiting campuses and speaking with students around the state, a legislative task force focused on improving higher education outcomes for Oregon’s underrepresented students approved a final report on Tuesday, solidifying 22 recommendations ahead of the upcoming legislative session.

By Sami Edge - The Oregonian/OregonLive

Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission unanimously approved a budget request Thursday that includes a fourfold increase in funding for financial aid grants for Oregon students.

By Sami Edge - The Oregonian/OregonLive

The Oregon Student Association is resolutely in support of protecting reproductive healthcare access for students across Oregon and the nation.

House Bill 2835 requires each of Oregon’s public universities and community colleges to have employees to help students access aid programs.

By Meerah Powell - OPB

The Oregon Legislature passed a bill Tuesday focused on strengthening the autonomy and authority of public college and university student governments over their financial decisions. House Bill 3012 affirms the power student governments have over student fee money that is used to fund various campus programs and services, by clarifying language in an existing state statute.

By Meerah Powell - OPB

The Oregon House Committee on Education Thursday discussed three bills related to making public the price of course materials before the start of the term, prominently displaying the price and breakdown of administratively-controlled mandatory fees, and clarifying the role of student government in its authority and autonomy over its budget.

By Meerah Powell - OPB

House Bill 2835 would fund a “benefits navigator” position at every community college and public university in Oregon

By Meerah Powell - OPB

The Oregon Student Association is championing HB 2919 in the 2021 state legislative session, which would require public universities and community colleges “to prominently display total costs of all required course materials and fees” during course registration for most classes.

By Leo Baudhuin - The Daily Emerald

“The Associated Students of Western Oregon University, or ASWOU, in conjunction with the Oregon Student Association and Rep. Rob Nosse, D-Portland, are looking to close legal loopholes that they say have caused delays, conflicts and confusion between students and university administrations at numerous public universities in Oregon. At issue is control over decisions governing the collection of student fees and spending on vital campus services.”

By Meerah Powell - OPB

The Oregon Student Association worked on a number of issues important to our students, including campus food and housing insecurity, clear pathways for transfer credits, non-discrimination policies, and the creation of an underrepresented student taskforce. The following report highlights the different bills the Oregon Student Association worked on this session.

Written by Emily Wanous

The Oregon Student Association had a successful 2019 legislative session in terms of policy and faced challenges in the budget that we were able to secure.

Written by Perla Alvarez

The State of Oregon has been leaving students to foot the bill for public higher education for too long. It’s time for the state of Oregon to show up and put their money with their mouth is. Oregon’s debt to students is past due.

The Oregon Student Association had a successful short session passing 10 of 12 priority issues.

This is a sad day for Oregon, especially the many undocumented students OSA works for. Today, the Trump administration announced the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program. The DACA program has served as a critical lifeline for nearly 11,000 immigrants in the state of Oregon.

On 7/7/17 the Oregon Legislature passed resolutions to Sine Die, otherwise known as adjourn session. This report is a snapshot of the student victories and missed opportunities. Students were at the center of Oregon politics and were represented at the capitol every day. We have over 150 students at our lobby days, over 130 in person student testimonies, over 150 written student testimonies and over 350 calls to legislative offices. The power of this advocacy has helped us to advance our agenda as an association. Here are some of the results of student advocacy.

Written by Lamar Wise

OSA Capitol Updates from January 2017 to June 2017

Written by Lamar Wise